Fight for Peace signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Jamaican Ministry of National Security

13/09/2016 – Fight for Peace and the Jamaican Ministry of National Security have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a ceremony at the Ministry’s offices at the NCB Towers on Oxford Road, Kingston, Jamaica.

The MOU establishes a framework for the effective operation and governance of the various collaborative projects between the Ministry and its agencies and Fight for Peace. In particular, it involves formalising points of contact as well as consultative and review arrangements.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Robert Montague welcomed the opportunity to formalise the partnership with Fight for Peace:

“Crime and lawlessness are global issues that confront every country and we need to be able to share ideas and best practices with each other in order to overcome this common enemy. This collaboration is an excellent example of this approach,” said the Minister.

Mr. Montague added that the Fight for Peace programme practically addresses three of the five pillars of the Ministry’s National Security Strategy – crime prevention through social development, reducing reoffending and effective policing processes. The Minister drew particular attention to the fact that the programme is geared towards young people and involves the use of sports, as these are critical areas in reducing crime and creating safer communities.

Fight for Peace’s programme in Jamaica is at present operational in six communities – Fletcher’s Land, Trench Town, Parade Gardens, Hanna Town, Denham Town and Tivoli Gardens. Along with boxing and martial arts, the programme includes a focus on Education, Employability, Youth Leadership and Support Services, in line with Fight for Peace’s Five Pillar Methodology.

Fight for Peace is fully funded in Jamaica for the next three years by IKEA Foundation and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development which will support work across the six communities.

Head of Fight for Peace Jamaica, Kellie Magnus explained the focus of the organisation’s work in the selected communities:

“We are using this approach to both bring calm to troubled communities, and to help people in those communities who may not be involved in crime and violence, but are affected by it, to achieve more positive outcomes. We are very committed to making sure that we align our efforts here with the Ministry’s policies and protocols,” said Kellie.

Fight for Peace has already started work with the Peace Management Initiative and supports the Ministry of National Security’s efforts to improve the rehabilitation and reintegration of young people who have had involvement in crime.

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